Washington Bach Consort Presents Bach’s Monumental Mass in B Minor April 25 & 26, 2026 at National Presbyterian Church

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2026

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington Bach Consort Presents Bach’s Monumental Mass in B Minor
April 25 & 26, 2026 at National Presbyterian Church

WASHINGTON, DC —Washington Bach Consort, under the direction of Music Director Dana Marsh, will present Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor on Saturday and Sunday, April 25 & 26, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. at National Presbyterian Church (4101 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington, DC).

Widely regarded as one of the greatest musical achievements in Western history, Bach’s Mass in B Minor stands as a monumental work of spiritual depth and musical mastery. In this season finale performance, the Washington Bach Consort brings together its acclaimed chorus and period-instrument orchestra with a distinguished roster of soloists for two performances of the Mass.

“Our season finale—Bach’s Mass in B Minor—is arguably among the greatest musical compositions in any tradition,” said Dana Marsh, Artistic Director of the Washington Bach Consort. “Through this work, Bach has given us a reservoir of comfort and healing for the soul. Although he likely never performed the work in its entirety during his lifetime, Bach’s surviving documents suggest a plan for its complete performance. Today, the work remains among the most treasured of any era.”

Featured soloists include:

Amy Broadbent, soprano
Chelsea Helm, soprano
Kristen Dubenion-Smith, alto
James Reese, tenor
Jonathan Woody, bass

Audience members are invited to arrive early for Talking Bach, a free pre-concert lecture at 3:00 p.m. presented by noted Bach scholar Michael Marissen, offering insights into the historical and musical significance of the Mass in B Minor.

As part of a special collaboration with The City Choir of Washington, audience members who purchase a ticket to the Washington Bach Consort’s Saturday, April 25 performance will receive a 50% discount code for The City Choir of Washington’s performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor on Sunday, May 31 at 5:00 p.m., also at National Presbyterian Church. The partnership offers audiences a unique opportunity to experience two distinctive interpretations of Bach’s monumental work by two of Washington’s leading choral ensembles.

Event Details

Washington Bach Consort – Bach’s Mass in B Minor
Dates: April 25 & 26, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington, DC
Pre-Concert Lecture: Talking Bach at 3:00 p.m. with Michael Marissen
Tickets: Purchase here
Photos: Available here

The Washington Bach Consort

Founded in 1977 by the late Dr. J. Reilly Lewis, the Washington Bach Consort is a professional choral and period-instrument ensemble based in Washington, DC, led since 2018 by Artistic Director, Dr. Dana Marsh, presenting over 25 live concerts each season. On October 3 2023, the Acis label released the ensemble’s newest album, Myths Contested, with the music of J.S. Bach, and a world premiere recording of a commissioned work by composer Trevor Weston.

The Bach Consort is noted for its historically informed performances of 18th-century music on period instruments. As one of the DC area’s most critically acclaimed and nationally recognized performing ensembles, the group has made regular appearances with the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington Performing Arts, and the Cathedral Choral Society. In addition, the Bach Consort has appeared at numerous festivals and on a number of European tours. Recordings include Bach’s complete motets, both J.S. and C.P.E. Bach’s Magnificats, the first American recording of the masses in F major and G minor, and three solo soprano cantatas with opera luminary Elizabeth Futral. Having completed Bach’s entire 215-cantata cycle, the Consort continues to present these works free of cost to the Washington DC public. The Library of Congress has welcomed the Washington Bach Consort recording and concert program archives into its permanent collection. 

In August 2018, the Bach Consort welcomed Dana Marsh as its Artistic Director. Acclaimed by The Washington Post as “a superb choral conductor, energetic and precise,” Marsh has worked variously as an accomplished organist, vocalist, conductor and musicologist. He is Professor of Music and Director of the Historical Performance Institute at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

In May 2019, the Council of the District of Columbia honored the Washington Bach Consort in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the Consort’s annual series of free classical music performances. In a written proclamation, the Council cited the Consort’s musical mission to “enrich the quality of life” by “recognizing that not everyone is able to afford a regular subscription concert ticket” and celebrated the Consort’s attempt to “reach as many people as possible.”

Following a performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in December 2019, The Washington Post opined that the Bach Consort “could go head-to-head with period performance ensembles anywhere.”

For further information please visit bachconsort.org

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